We got up at 5 am London time to get packed, organized and over to the airport shuttle by 6:20. Our flight did not leave until 10 but we just did not wish to put ourselves into stress mode so more time is better than little time. As it turned out we arrived in Heathrow terminal 5 and caught the airport shuttle from terminal 5 to terminal 4. We got all the paperwork completed, cleared security and ready for our breakfast by 7:30.
Breakfast at the airport was a disappointment. We decided go to a sitdown even though the prices were more than we would normally consider for breakfast but it would be a long day, so a good start was worth the price. The price was half again what I expected to pay and the food was half less than expected. I had eggs with bacon and toast – cost: 7.95 euro or $14 Canadian – meal: 2 eggs scrambled, 1 small piece of bacon and 2 thinly sliced toasted bread. I had to ask for jam to get any put on the table. Oh and coffee was 2.10 euro on top of that ($3.50) and no refills.
We got on the plane to learn that 3 people had not reported for the plane so we were delayed while their luggage was removed. This took 25 minutes to be done since the luggage handlers were busy loading another flight. We have a connection in Amsterdam and the change over time is only 1 hour so I was concerned that we would not meet our connection with this delay and being informed that there were thunder showers over France so we would be changing the flight plan to avoid. However, we were in Amsterdam with only 15 minute late arrivals so I guess they put the gas on to make up time.
We arrived at the airport in Amsterdam to discover that we had to go through security again complete with the new full body scanner. Ok, all is well and we get seated in the plane prepared for our 9 hour flight to Vancouver. We are both a bit tired already since it is about 1 pm London time and we have already been on the go for 8 hours.
We had seats in the center of the plane where there are three seats across. This means that Wes and I can get in and out without disturbing anyone else. I sat in the center beside a really nice young fellow from Vancouver who had been in Spain for the past month working on a filming production. We had a great time chatting about a whole range of topics about work, life and families. Adam’s other job, outside of the film industry, is a waiter at Monk McQueen’s and we may have to visit there next time in the city.
Since wine and beer is free flowing in the plane it was tough not to over indulge a bit. I was fine with 3 glasses of red wine but when they brought out the cognac “to help us sleep” I had to give that a try. Yep it did help with the sleep (no I was feeling really good but was not drunk). I slept for a couple of hours which was my goal so I can try to stay up a bit later tonight and get back on track time wise. Wes did not sleep at all and will be ready for bed when we get home.
Meals on the plane were very interesting since it seemed we got two ‘dinners’. The lunch after we took off was really a dinner sized meal. Then near the end of the flight they came around again and served another similar meal. I just woke up when they served the second meal and really was not ready for another meal. Sitting around all day does not cause much of an appetite.
We arrived in Vancouver right on schedule and headed off to pick up our luggage. As we stood waiting at the luggage carousel Wes is called for a message. Apparently his luggage did not make the plane in Amsterdam and is taking an extended holiday. They will be sending it to Kamloops when it arrives in the next couple of days. My luggage arrived, but of course most of the gifts we purchased for souvenirs are in his luggage. This is a bit disappointing, but considering all the travel we have been doing this past year we have only had this one incident with luggage. And more importantly, it is not lost but only on an extended holiday with guardians on hand.
We arrived into Kamloops at 7 pm as scheduled and took the taxi home. The strata was having its annual pot luck dinner in front of our place so we had a very nice greeting. Consequently when we got home we ended up sitting outside and enjoying visiting with our neighbours. We also had the benefit of being given dinner.
By the time we came into the house around 8:30 we were exhausted. We figured that by now we had been up for more than 24 hours but if we wanted to get re-oriented to this time zone we wanted to stay up until 10 at least, which we managed but just barely. Thus ends our final stage of this year of travel. What a great experience it has been and we have learned so much and seen so much – but also realized how much more there is to be seen. Another trip will have to be considered for the future.
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